Militias operating in Syria locking horns for Turkey's benefit
Rifts are increasing within Ahrar al-Sham, one of the militias controlling northern Syria, especially Idlib province.
This militia is the
strongest rival of Tahrir al-Sham, according to the London-based Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights.
Tensions
Tensions started
within Ahrar al-Sham on Oct. 12 when the militia's police arrested some of its
members, including leading figure Abu Bakr Maghaweer.
Ahrar al-Sham Commander
Abi Jaber al-Sheikh then issued a decision to sack Abi Fres Daraa who was
responsible for the coast area. However, Daraa rejected the commander's
decision and staged what amount to munity inside the militia.
The commander then
sent an armed group to force Daraa to succumb to his decision. This opened the
door for clashes.
Things getting worse
Rifts increased
within the militia. The group staging the mutiny is besieging some Ahrar
al-Sham command centers.
This prompted Tahrir
al-Sham commanders to order the evacuation of the command centers to Afrin,
northwestern Aleppo.
Turkish sponsorship
Tahrir al-Sham works
to serve Turkey's interests in Syria, according to Syrian think tank Omran
Center for Strategic Studies.
It said Ahrar
al-Sham opposed the agreement hammered out by Russia and Turkey in Sochi,
Russia.
This is why Turkey
wants to take revenge on Ahrar al-Sham now, the center said.
It added that Turkey
tries to do this by enlisting support from militias backing it in Syria.
The center noted
that Turkey has so far succeeded in disbanding Ahrar al-Sham.
This is giving
Tahrir al-Sham full leverage over Idlib, the center said.
